Bethesda, MD - As Congress wraps up its current session, the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) is rallying the scientific community to urge their Senators and Representatives to pass a fiscal year (FY) 2011 spending bill that includes a $1 billion funding increase for the National Institutes of Health (NIH). As a result of FASEB's call-to-action, citizens from across the country sent nearly 9,400 messages to Capitol Hill imploring lawmakers to sustain the federal investment in biomedical research. "We are doing everything we can to ensure that NIH has the necessary resources to meet the health and scientific challenges of the 21st century," said Bill Talman, FASEB President.
NIH and the other federal science agencies are currently operating under a temporary funding measure known as a "continuing resolution." Earlier this summer both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees agreed to fund NIH at $32 billion (a $1 billion increase over current levels) in FY 2011. In order for the increase to become law, Congress must pass an omnibus funding measure this month.
The nation's medical research agency needs sustainable and predictable budget growth to improve the health and longevity of all Americans. Failure to complete action on an FY 2011 omnibus funding measure would slow progress on developing new therapies for individuals with cancer, diabetes, and other illnesses, squander invaluable scientific opportunities, and damage the United States' standing as the world leader in medical research.
FASEB is composed of 23 societies with more than 100,000 members, making it the largest coalition of biomedical research associations in the United States. FASEB enhances the ability of scientists and engineers to improve—through their research—the health, well-being and productivity of all people. Our mission is to advance health and welfare by promoting progress and education in biological and biomedical sciences through service to our member societies and collaborative advocacy.